A dozen years ago, there was reasonable doubt that the University of Mobile (UM) would survive the turmoil of her past,” said UM President Mark Foley in his report to convention messengers Nov. 17. “Some of you have watched and prayed on those days when we did not know how an objective would be reached, how an issue would be solved or how an obligation would be met. When the stare was long and the prayer was short, ‘Oh, Lord, how …,’ you watched with us as God revealed His answer, His provision and His grace.
“But that is a story of what has been. Today I bring a story of what will be.”
Foley’s prayer of “Lord, what next?” over the past few months, combined with Bible study, stories of faith and “a growing awareness that God is beginning to do something in America,” led him to develop 2020 Vision, a new strategic plan for UM.
The plan, introduced to the UM board of trustees in October, features 11 axioms designed to establish the university as a “nationally recognized leader of revitalization of Christian faith and character in America.”
Foley asserted that change is needed in America.
“America today is currently distancing itself in culture and policy from the things of God,” he said, specifically mentioning politics and religion.
“A God-ignoring arrogance is at large among leadership of both political parties,” Foley said, adding “religious denominations, including Southern Baptists, once used of God to guide America, are in decline; their influence upon our nation is greatly curtailed or nonexistent.”
He pointed out that while there are exceptions, “data indicates the general decline rests largely in the inability to attract and/or retain the under 30 group … the millennial generation.
“Prompted by these conditions, there are significant spiritual stirrings in our nation, which, if united, have the potential to become nation-changing spiritual and political movements.”
The axioms of his vision for UM include
1. In policy and practice, affirm the nature, mission, ethic and revelation of Jesus Christ as articulated in Scripture.
2. Intentionally lead men and women into a relationship with Him.
3. Offer nationally respected academic programs.
4. Continue to promote and instruct the effective integration of Christian faith, academic discipline and vocational practice.
5. Adopt methods necessary to gain national recognition.
6. Intentionally cross political, geographic and denominational boundaries in the pursuit of objectives.
7. Specifically promote and instruct the concepts of freedom and responsibility to God with the corollaries, capitalism and entrepreneurialism as they apply to major areas of study.
8. Identify and adopt effective structures, methods and academic and extracurricular programs for the post-Christian environment.
9. Identify and adopt effective generation-specific methods of instruction and communication with students and constituents.
10. Identify, secure and develop worldwide and nontraditional partnerships for undergraduate and postgraduate instruction, general funding and the achievement of our objectives.
11. Maintain, encourage and support a vibrant relationship with our family of Alabama Baptist churches.
Foley asked, “Is it possible to imagine a nation in which the name of God is still honored in halls of justice, education and worship? Or has it become too late? I have to believe the answer to that question is no.
“Yet we dare to imagine. Is it still possible to imagine? Yes! But we cannot stay as we are and expect this nation to change. We must think clearly and carefully about the message to deliver and how it is to be delivered. May God bless … may He always allow us to imagine.”
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